I this, even by the employment of a special | I should obtain some technical advice. train, it would seldom be practicable to Pending the consideration of these give to Scotland an interval for reply by figures, I regret to say that I am unable the outgoing steamer. I may point to make any definite announcement. out, however, that it is the rule to send the Scotch mails from Queenstown by the quickest practicable route, and that in some cases these mails do already benefit from the special service. may repeat that, under any new contract, it is my desire to obtain an acceleration of half-an-hour, together with the requisite accommodation for the mails, and accommodation for passengers at MR. J. WILSON: Arising out of this least equal to that afforded in the Ireland. answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentle- I am happy to be able to state that the man if he is aware that a very large special service for accelerating the amount of business is done by merchants Saturday American mail was successfully in Glasgow both with America and inaugurated on Saturday last. The Canada, and that it is essentially neces-new mail train arrived at Queenstown sary they should be in possession of the punctually at the appointed time, 6.45a.m., earliest information possible as soon as and the Cunard Mail Packet was able the letters were delivered? to get away from Queenstown by ten minutes to eight, instead of about midday as heretofore. MR. ARNOLD MORLEY believed there was a large amount of business done, but he did not think the matter was one for special arrangement. THE IRISH MAILS. MR. W. KENNY: I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any intention to accept a tender for boats of a smaller size than those mentioned in No. 2 ? MR. A. MORLEY: I am afraid I cannot make a statement until after the decision of the Government. MR. W. FIELD: Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman when he expects to be able to make a declaration with regard to this matter. We have had it MR. W. KENNY: I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is now in a position to make a definite statement on the subject of the tenders for the mail contract between Dublin and Holyhead, and between Holyhead and London ? May I supplement that question by asking whether the right hon. Gentle- now under consideration I do not know man and the Chancellor of the Exche- how many times, and we have never quer have to-day received a communica- had any kind of a definite reply from tion from the Dublin Chamber of the right hon. Gentleman. All the comCommerce in they protest mercial community of Dublin and the against the adoption of any boats whole of Ireland are united on this smaller than those proposed by tender question? No. 2, and asking the Postmaster DR. KENNY (Dublin, College General and the Chancellor of the Green): Is not the sole matter in Exchequer to receive a deputation? dispute some objections on the part of MR. ARNOLD MORLEY: I have the Treasury? Are they not the only got a telegram to that effect. I propose stumbling-block in the way, and cannot also to answer the question in the name the right hon. Gentleman get over that of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick stumbling-block in a matter of national Division of Dublin. [Mr. W. FIELD importance? Will he assure the House asked the Postmaster General whether that he will give a definite answer by he was in a position to make a state- the termination of the Recess ? ment regarding the mail contract via MR. ARNOLD MORLEY: I cannot Queenstown, Kingstown, and Holyhead; say more than that I am most anxious and, whether acceleration and increased to lose no time whatever in coming to a accommodation would be provided on decision. There is a substantial differland and sea?] I have seen the Directors ence between the amount offered by the of the City of Dublin Steam Packet company and the amount the GovernCompany to-day, and they have promised ment is justified in giving. to provide me with some further data DR. KENNY: Is not the Treasury showing how the amount of the tender is the objector. Has not the City of made up, on which they are anxious that Dublin Steam packet Company offered to submit the whole matter to arbitration, and has not the right hon. Gentleman power to submit to arbitration in this matter? MR. A. MORLEY: It is a most unusual course for the Government to submit any such matter to arbitration. DR. KENNY: Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give any answer to this before the Dissolution? [MR. A. MORLEY did not reply] EVENING CONTINUATION SCHOOLS. SIR G. BADEN-POWELL: I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether any and, if so, what steps have been taken to make thoroughly sound and effective the existing movement in favour of evening continuation schools; and whether, following the precedent set with so much success by the Science and Art Department, he will consider and arrange for the appointment of a person or persons thoroughly competent and specially experienced to advise local educational authorities, especially in rural districts, as to the economical and effective organisation and working of evening continuation schools? MR. ACLAND: The Department is most anxious to make evening continuation schools as sound and effective as possible in every way. Her Majesty's Inspectors are always ready to advise local authorities as to the organisation and working of such schools. I do not think that the necessity has arisen for a special staff of officials devoting themselves entirely to this branch of the work of the Department. EXAMINATION OF ACTING TEACHERS. SIR G. BADEN-POWELL: I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he can state the date of the last certificate examination for acting teachers and for college trained teachers; the date of the issue of the results of the examination so far as college-trained teachers are concerned; and the date of the issue of the results so far as acting teachers are concerned; and whether he can in any way compensate the acting teachers for the prolonged anxiety and injustice consequent on this differential delay of more than five weeks? Dr. Kenny. MR. ACLAND: The examination was held from December 10th to 14th, and the result, so far as the colleges were concerned, was announced on the 21st February. The acting teachers were informed of the result of their examination from March 27th to April 3rd. The work on the acting teachers' examination is much more laborious than that on the students', and the difference between the dates of announcement is generally about a month. There has been nothing exceptional on this occasion, in the difference of date, which is really unavoidable. THE PROPOSED VETERINARY COLLEGE IN IRELAND. MR. W. KENNY: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what progress has been made in carrying out steps for the establishment of a Veterinary College in Ireland; and, if an Act of Parlia ment be necessary for the purpose, when does he propose to introduce it? MR. W. FIELD: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will introduce a Bill this Session to provide the promised £15,000 to start the Veterinary College in Dublin? MR. J. MORLEY: The draft charter for the proposed Veterinary College in Dublin has been settled, and is now before the Law Officers for approval. Upon the incorporation of the governing body a Bill will be introduced forthwith to provide the proposed grant-in-aid. GOVERNMENT OF HAWAII. SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Kerry, W.) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inform the House what now represents the Government of Hawaii: and, whether the existing Government, in the event of there being one, is recognised by Her Majesty's Government? SIR EDWARD GREY: The present Government of Hawaii is Republican. The Republic was recognised by Her Majesty's Government on the 15th of November last. ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY CODE. MR. P. J. KENNEDY (Kildare, N.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the police code, published in 1881, with Amendments up to date, is the manual placed in the hands of recruits to the London police force, he would have any objection to the publication of the Royal Irish Constabulary Code by a member of that body? reduce the pay of officers of corresponding rank in India at the same time and on a similar scale? MR. GEORGE RUSSELL: The number of the principal medical officers in India has been increased from three to five, the responsibilities of all, except the MR. J. MORLEY: The publication Surgeon Major General at headquarters referred to in the first part of the ques- have thus been reduced, and their pay is tion is, I presume, that which deals with diminished accordingly. It is not prothe general principles of police duty. It posed to reduce the pay of officers of is not the code of the London police, corresponding rank in India. which, as I stated yesterday, is a confidential publication. The Royal Irish SECOND DIVISION CLERKS IN DUBLIN. Constabulary have also in their hands a MR. L. P. HAYDEN (Roscommon, manual of police duty, and, for reasons explained by me yesterday, I see no S.): I beg to ask the Secretary to the sufficient reason for consenting to the Treasury whether he is now in a position Constabulary Code being made available to give the information recently asked for public use. for regarding the promotion of second division clerks in the Dublin offices? MR. KENNEDY: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the book to which I have referred was published in 1881 by the then Director of the Criminal Investigation Department in London? MR. J. MORLEY: I am not aware of anything of the kind. MR. KENNEDY: Might I inform the right hon. Gentleman that the book is in the Library ? LANDED ESTATES COURTS MR. R. M. DANE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what has been the result of his communication with the Lord Chancellor of Ireland respecting the execution of Landed Estates Courts conveyances? MR. J. MORLEY: The Lord Chancellor informs me that arrangements have been made under which the Master of the Rolls will execute any conveyances in the Land Judge's Court that may be presented to him for execution. SIR JOHN HIBBERT: In accor dance with my promise in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 12th March, I have had a statement prepared which I shall be happy to hand to him. THE CONVICT M'CANN. MR. W. FIELD: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet arrived at a decision regarding the release of M'Cann, an Irish political prisoner, who has been 12 years in prison, and is now 70 years of age ? MR. ASQUITH: I have decided, with the concurrence of the Secretary for Scotland, that in consideration of this convict's age and feeble state of health, he may now be released on licence. COMMISSARY BAKERIES. MR. FIELD: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will insert in the tender forms about to be issued for Ireland a similar clause to that inserted for the commissary bakeries at Aldershot, Shorncliffe, &c., in England, that tenders would be only accepted from millers, thereby insuring the supply of home-manufactured flour? SURGEON MAJOR GENERALS IN INDIA. MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is the fact that the pay of Surgeon Major Generals in India is THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO reduced, from 1st April last, from THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL, Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 2,000 per month; and, Hanley): The same form of tender is if so, whether such reduction will be now in use for flour, both in England followed by diminished duties and and Ireland, the stipulation as to millers responsibilities on the part of these having been withdrawn from the English officers; and whether it is proposed to form. MR. FIELD: Am I to understand | public meeting to be held at Grenagh, that the Irish millers tender for the County Cork, upon last Sunday. supply the same as they do in England? MR. WOODALL: Precisely the same form of tender is issued in both cases. MR. J. MORLEY: The placard convening the meeting pointedly referred to the taking of a farm from which the late MR. FIELD: Am I to understand tenant (who was named) had been that there is a new form of tender which evicted, and it was believed that the boycotts the native producer from ten-meeting, if held at the place originally dering to supply ships in Ireland or England? MR. WOODALL: Millers take exactly the same position as others. MR. FIELD: May I ask what that position is ? MR. WOODALL: I think my hon. Friend will perfectly understand my answer when he sees it in print. AN OCEAN DERELICT. MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether intelligence has been received from Madrid that a large sailing vessel has been seen abandoned near the Straits of Gibraltar, about seven miles off Tangier, right in the course taken generally by vessels of our fleet when going to and from the Mediterranean; and whether he will order a cruiser from England or the Mediterranean and Channel Squadron at once to search for this dangerous derelict and bring it to port or destroy it? MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON : No Report respecting this wreck has been received from Madrid. In the Shipping Gazette of April 5th, it is stated that the Spanish steamer Joaquin Velasjo reports having passed a vessel waterlogged and abandoned, foremast only visible, in the position stated, which is not in the ordinary track. Where the vessel (if it is a vessel and not a spar, which is equally probable from the Report) is now, it is difficult to say, but if not on shore, or at the bottom, the strong currents have probably taken her into the Mediterranean. No search could be made with any prospect of success unless further Reports are received. selected, would have an intimidatory effect, and might lead to a breach of the peace. It was decided, therefore, not to allow it in the neighbourhood of the farm in question. MR. W. REDMOND asked whether the promoters of the meeting had any notice of the intention of the Government ? MR. J. MORLEY: Yes, Sir, the district inspector is specially directed to inform the promoters some time before the meeting of the intention, and the information was given to them that the meeting would not be allowed. DUBLIN SCIENCE AND ART MUSEUM. MR. W. KENNY: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is of the Director of the Science and Art aware that the duties and responsibilities Museum at Dublin have vastly increased since his appointment to that office in the year 1883, and that the present Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Committee of Council on Education have, at various times, recorded their opinions that the salary enjoyed by the Director is inadetion for an increase of salary made by quate; whether the last specific applica the Director, by his letter of 29th October 1894, has been considered by the Treasury; and, if so, with what result; and, would there be any objection to lay upon the Table a copy of the cor respondence on the subject of this salary? SIR JOHN HIBBERT: The Treasury for an increase in the salary of the has received more than one application Director of the Museum, the last was in August 1894. After full inquiry the Treasury was of opinion that the emoluments-amounting to £760 a yearafford not inadequate remuneration for MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.): I the duties of the post. The manner in beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the which the present Director has disLord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will ex- charged his duties has been recognised plain upon what authority, and for what by the grant of the honour of a Comreason, the police refused to allow a panionship of the Bath. I cannot REFUSAL TO ALLOW A MEETING IN COUNTY CORK. consent to lay on the Table departmental correspondence relative to the salaries of Civil Service Appointments. DENBIGH ASYLUM. MR. J. H. ROBERTS: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the views of the deputation which waited upon him, on 20th February last, in reference to the enlargement of Denbigh Asylum; and whether he is in a position to state his decision? THE WEXFORD AND DUBLIN MAIL. MR. P. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.): I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the night mail between Wexford and Dublin leaves Dublin at 8 o'clock p.m., and often does MR. ASQUITH: My decision is, that not arrive in Wexford until 7.30 or the additional accommodation needed is 8 o'clock next morning, thereby delaying to be provided by the enlargement of the the rural postmen, and causing immense existing Asylum at Denbigh. inconvenience to the public generally; ELECTION OF OVERSEERS AT BOOTLE. and, whether he will look into the matter and see if a uniform service is possible? ASHMEAD - BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Her Majesty's Government have made any provision to enable British subjects in Madagascar to leave the island if they so desire during the French invasion. MR. J. KEIR HARDIE (West Ham, S.): I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that on 1st April a meeting of the Vestry of Bootle was held to elect overpayers were duly elected at the meeting; seers of the poor, at which four ratewhether he is also aware that the magistrates refused to accept the names so put forward, and elected four others which had not been before the Vestry tion of the Local Government Act; and meetings; whether this was a contravenwhat action he proposes to take in the matter? information I have on this subject is MR. SHAW LEFEVRE: The only SIR EDWARD GREY: No special Friend has been good enough to send me. contained in the letter which my hon. provision is required. British Consular It rests with the magistrates to appoint Officers are at the two principal ports, the overseers, and they are under no and will protect those who may come to legal obligation to elect persons nomithe coast. No intimation has been re-nated by the Vestry. Under the Local Government Act, the power of appointing overseers in urban parishes may be ceived of the wish of British residents to leave except in the case of some British Indians at Mojunga to whom the French Authorities offered facilities. UPPER NILE WATERWAY. SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to secure the control of the Upper Nile Waterway ? SIR E. GREY: It is impossible to make a statement on this subject in answer to a question. SIR E. ASHMEAD - BARTLETT desired to know whether the French Government had informed Her Majesty's Government that no expedition had been sent to the Nile. SIR E. GREY: I have nothing to add to what has been already said. transferred to the Urban District Council on their application. A PROFESSIONAL CORONER'S JURY. MR. J. KEIR HARDIE: I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Corporation of Bootle has been paying a professional coroner's jury for two years past, at a cost of over £200; and whether this is a legal payment; if not, whether he has power to interfere to protect the ratepayers against such charges? MR. SHAW LEFEVRE: I have no information as to this matter, nor any power to interfere with regard to it. The accounts of Municipal Corporations are not subject to control by the Local Government Board or their officers. |